My new yesterday's car

tracto-man · Jun 2, 2017

Found what looked like a very cheap and restorable GTO. Bought it for less then most my tractors. Checked out the vin, and its one of 4,806 GTO's made in 1973. Unbelievable. I should go start buying lottery ticket's!

My buddy, Dad, and myself got the honors of pulling this out of the pole barn it had sat in since 1992.

Jumping right into to getting the beast on the road. Was gonna make it a driver, and just toy around with, but from the info I can find on this car, it looks like it needs to be restored. Hurting my pockets though!

Getting it ready to try to run tomorrow and messing with that carb, its no little marvel schebler carburetor! Lol! Then it needs tires, and brakes, and some body work, and inner fenders...and more stuff, and more parts... Lol.

rustred · Jun 2, 2017

neat, looks like the restoration was already started ... now needs another go at it. i can overhaul the carb.

37chief · Jun 2, 2017

Nice project. Of 4,806 GTO's made in 73 I wonder just how many are still around? Sounds like the low number makes it a keeper. I bought a Triumph motorcycle in boxes about 30 years ago at a garage sale for around 10.00. I needed a project so I started on it. I found out it was one of around 600 imported for desert racers in 1961. It's some what of a collector Triumph. Stan

oldtanker · Jun 2, 2017

Very nice! I had a bright red 68 GTO when I was dating my wife and a short time after we were married. Then came kids and I gave it up for family..........boy I got took on that deal! :lol:

Wouldn't trade my kids for anything but sure wish I had my GTO back!

Rick

Keith Molden · Jun 3, 2017

I might have a Motors Manual covering that car===I'll check & let you know. Keith

UncleTom · Jun 3, 2017

What motortrans combination does it have?

centash · Jun 3, 2017

A Pontiac fan myself, looks like you got the real thing. Run the VIN to determine if it's not a clone. Should have a 400 or 455 Pontiac block, 400Th and 12 bolt rear. GTO specific trim parts may be hard to find due to its low production, the lowest of all G T Os. Classical Pontiac is a good site for Pontiac info. Now that 'you've got your GOAT' have fun with it. Ben

Crazy Horse · Jun 3, 2017

Here's a link to a great article from Hemmings Motor News in 2005 ..... lots of info in there for ya. Interesting car and an even more interesting story .....
GTO Hemmings Motor News article

Dick2 · Jun 3, 2017

You know that GTO stands for: Gas, Tires and Overhaul.

tracto-man · Jun 3, 2017

The previous owner blew the original 400 and put a 350 in with mild can and 400 headers. We'll be running the 350 for now but will likely be returning it to to a 400 or maybe a 455 at some point.

Checked vin and it should be a true one, but to actually prove it I'd have to get a build sheet. Its been in the previous owners family since new, and he remembers the day his dad drove it home from the dealer, complete with black and white pictures and such.

tracto-man · Jun 3, 2017

It originally had a Pontiac 400, but has a 350 with 400 headers and a mild can in it now. I think the tranny is a 400 turbo but haven't checked yet. Will probably put a 400 or 455 back in at some point.

dr sportster · Jun 3, 2017

So it has a Chevy motor ? There is a club called the Pontiac/Oakland/GMC club. Lots of parts in club magazine.

John M · Jun 3, 2017

Since the engine isn't original, Id swap in a 455. I love that body style of GTOs!

jddrawbar · Jun 3, 2017

I've never seen that body style.....doesn't look like a "goat". I had a '65 tri-power, sure was fun. Good find........

bigbob1939 · Jun 3, 2017

Need to check and see if there is a GTO registry. It will be able to tell you how many are still being registered and titled in the states.

RandyB(MI) · Jun 3, 2017

That's like buying stock to a company that just went public ! A one year only body style for GTO. Keep it all Pontiac. It's got a lot going for it, GTO , one year style , still had Pontiac engines , not all hacked up , don't make Pontiac anymore , low production ( reasons are obvious if you lived through the '60,s and '70,s ) and don't forget "resale red" too. Most were junked because nobody wanted that year / body style to restore. That's the year of the great oil embargo and you couldn't give away anything with a V8 in it. Also , a year later they were forced to put the huge "bumpercar" type bumpers on all cars. The '74 GTO was really a joke..just a fancy "Nova"...only good thing is it still had a Pontiac engine. This was my little "toy".

centash · Jun 3, 2017

Now, just a doggone minute! A 74 GTO was no joke! Had the 46 heads, ram air, higher compression, 3.08 posi, dual exhaust right out of the factory. With a little tuning, you could get high 14s in the 1/4 mile. With some mods...that is, a 455 would bolt right in...12s were not hard to get. And with the sway bars, and less the bumpers it would out handle a 64. That is probably why they outsold the 73 model. On the other hand, aren't you glad Pontiac didn't put GTO emblems on a 75 Astre with the 'enhanced '4 cylinder....uuuggghh! A fellow Poncho guy....Ben

RandyB(MI) · Jun 3, 2017

Sorry Ben. Yea, we all had our favorite years for sure. Guess it's what you were expecting out of one. Mine did 14.20 on slippery street tires with closed exhaust at 3600 #. Did 13.75 with drag radials and closed exhaust. Never opened exhaust but thinking probably 13.60,s. This was completely stock tri power on a '67 400 GTO engine and at 3600 lb. A real sticky set of regular slicks and probably down to 13.25 or so. Really had traction problems. This was with 3:55 rear. Forgot to say it was 4 spd, so very tricky to get good et,s without the real slicks on. I will say , tho, the '74 was a whole lot better looking than the same "Nova" was. They did away with the good engines in the Nova by then too. Yea, I'm glad they didn't "GTO" the Astre or the Vega. I did like the Can Am tho which was the '73 GTO body style with Trans Am hood shaker and some graphics...well , you know them if you are a poncho man. My two real "dream" Poncho,s were a '65 GTO tri-power 4spd in " Iris Mist" or a 1965 Grand Prix with 421 tri power , 4 spd and in the same " Iris Mist " paint.

centash · Jun 3, 2017

Had a 69 GP with the 428 high output engine that someone built further. Super fast, but scary at speed. Would easily bury the 140 mph speedometer. Nothing like Pontiac torque!! Ben

centash · Jun 3, 2017

Oh, Super sharp 67 by the way...😊Ben

RandyB(MI) · Jun 4, 2017

I know by the "smiley face" in yur post , you are expecting this correction LOL 1966 !

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